I’m all for removing the dams, but have serious concerns and reservations about what happens after their removal. I am totally opposed to allowing anadromous fish beyond the Cass Road dam, and would consider them and those fishermen who pursue them a threat to the beauty of the river above Beitner Road. Further, I am concerned that once the river is opened up it will be seen as a place for large numbers of canoes to use for recreational profit. As it is, the Boardman gets heavy multi-use, and here are days when consideration should be given to giving watercraft operators IQ tests before they get on the water. The Boardman River needs to be protected. It isn’t a theme park.

Would you please state your experience with making these parks accessible to all sorts of people?
we just completed a whitewater park in Johnstown, PA that is handicap accessible at the behest of Team River Runner out of DC who teaches disabled veterans how to paddle kayaks.  On a more general note whitewater parks is really just a “brand” name.  What these projects really do is create people places along urban river corridors.  Here in my hometown of Salida, CO our park is used by fishermen, kayakers, folks walking their dogs, families as a beach area on hot summer days, world class kayakers when the water is high, really the whole community.  That use changes as flow conditions and weather change but overall the entire community gathers along the banks of the Arkansas and the whitewater park serves as the unofficial center of activity for our town.
How have other dam project conversions enhanced the communities around them?
Pueblo and Denver, Colorado are probably the best examples of places that have transitioned from neglected corridors to vibrant centers of activity and economic development.
You mentioned a little about environmental improvement from wwparks. How is this done?
Most of the benefits come from the obvious improvement of allowing for a free flowing river past a dam.  This can be accomplished while still maintaining an upstream impoundment or diversion capabilities or any of the other potential, existing benefits of a dam.  With larger dams like those on the Boardman this is probably most realistically accomplished through a by-pass channel that would allow for recreational paddling and fish movment through the dam.

I like to say thank you again to Mike Harvey for his input from afar. I have checked out your attachments and they are great. I hope folks here in the TC area look at them as well. Several folks are afraid that whitewater parks will just be another cut off for those that are not whitewater boaters and these individuals will not be able to navigate the river w/o a portage. Would you please state your experience with making these parks accessible to all sorts of people? How have other dam project conversions enhanced the communities around them? You mentioned a little about environmental improvement from wwparks. How is this done? These are concerns that I have heard from local people concerned with the river. I am convinced that a wwpark in conjunction with riparian parkland would make this river corridor a major jewel for Michigan not just TC. I hope you will feel free to offer your knowledge.
Thank you, Eric
Please feel free to email me at

I spoke with Jennier Jay a few weeks ago.  It sounds as though Traverse City has an incredible opportunity.  Please visit this link for examples of projects where impoundments have been preserved but a free flowing river with recreational and environmental improvements existings on the downstream edge of the crest http://www.wwparks.com/dam_projects.html
You can also download a PDF cut sheet describing one such project here http://www.wwparks.com/siteprofile/site_pueblo.pdf
and here
http://www.wwparks.com/siteprofile/site_sanmarc.pdf
Mike

I would like to say thank you to Bill Stellema and and to Mike Harvey for their input as well as those who support a viable solution for this situation. There are a lot of individuals upset over the visual aspect of the current backwaters. I have maintained an absence from this sight to see if any creative solutions would arise for this situation and so far I have read several grumbles, complaints and emotionally fueled opinions but yet no solutions have arisen. YES, the present dilema is a problem. YES, it seems that with all the hoopla we could just repair the dams. With age, however, they will eventually fail without continuously increasing funds and upkeep. Maybe we’d “Just drain it”.  I, once again would like to put forth the option of planning natural parks for whitewater, trails, recreational kayakers, tubers, canoeists, etc. If one would take the time to investigate one would realize that it is a winning solution for most everyone involved. It would provide a new recreational pursuit for some, open the river up to those who enjoy slower waters, enhance habitat for species, create a wonderful aset for TC residents and guests, stablilze or possibly increase surrounding property values, stabilize newly exposed soils (embedded toxins), and more which may not be so predictable. YES, some parties wouldn’t get the river exactly as we’d like to see it, but this idea offers a positive solution for many not a total soution for a few.  Please take some time before you go typing away to express some emotional defication and do some research. I am confident that, if you are honest with youself and rational, you will see creating some sanctuary for fun, health, ecology and community well being is a wonderful multigenerational direction to take.
Please curtail the rantings and lets hear (er, read) solution based comments. We all can see something ugly and all say “yup...that’s ugly” or say “ I want...” but the river isn’t mine, yours or our river. We (Traverse City, Kalkaska, Mayfield, Mesick, Kingsley and area residents)are the ones with shared responsibilify for her. The dams are indeed outdated, It is unfortunate that those who have found homes on the reservoirs shores are now confronted with a changed landscape. It is also unfortunate that those elsewhere who make a living on any tributary will be flooded out some day. Rivers change, its what happens and this local matter involves human intervention because 100 years ago humans decided to intervene.  We now have the chance to create a “natural” state which will turn an eye sore into a gem for the next several generations and native species.

All dams need to be removed. American Rivers organization has particpated in numerous dam removal projects and they are all success stories. The bottom land can be turned into park land along the river and a portion adjacent to property owners given to them for a buffer corridor. A white water park is an attractive option as well. It allows for natural wildlife movement, aerates the river improving the oxygen levels, and provides a recreational resource that will be unique to northern Michigan. One caveat though. A wier needs to be in place to prohibit invasive species, including Salmon, from migrating upstream and destroying the native fish habitat! Perhaps a low head dam created from the Sabin dam. I look forward to the day when I can paddle a canoe all the way from the North branch to downtown Traverse City without being stuck on flat water and portaging around dams. Flowing water is healthy water!

The Third Rock from the Sun silly Billy. 
Why do ask?  Do you think there are people from other planets visiting you?  Billy your talking about one of the most polluted bodys of water in northern michigan and for Mr. Mcintyre’s information that body of water The Boardman Lake is about as natural as the Easling Pool.  In the early 70’s Boardman Lake was drained becuase of a problem at the sewage treatment plant and it was reduced to a trickle in comparison
to what your use to.  Lets talk about improvement billy If we (a society full of intelligent peoples like yourself Billy)
can clean up Lake Erie then for goodness sake we could surely clean up your favorite little cess pool.......it may mean being inconvienced for a short time 5 or 6 years for studies a couple more to actually do it and while the water is down, might as well take the dam out and return it to a natural river so it could be kyacked or trout fished or maybe another special interest group could thro in a few good reasons for it’s demise Billy
There would be all new emerging wetlands and new trails all kinds of new wildlife instead if boaters and people enjoying their public riparian rights like the people on the other parts being drained… BUT!!!  As long as it is not in your backyard it is OK Right Billy

Tatunka, what planet are you from!!  You don’t have a clue about what is an improvement or a resource for folks to use, enjoy and live near.  I’ll work night and day to defeat any draining of Boardman Lake!!!

Bill

Dear Mr. Plough What makes Boardman Lake any differant than Boardman Pond? other than you use it.......I say get rid of the sail club.  Young people can learn to sail somewhere else.
Fisherman can fish somewhere else.
Boaters can boat somewhere else.
and there are condos and apartments that have been build in areas more ugly too
Why is that part of the River more important to leave alone than the others?Obviously that part of the river is the most contaminated and least likely to ever be natural agian. I would say that impoundment needs more
help than any of the others lets drain that one, clean it up and make new trails along the river banks right by the Condo and apartment windows

Tatunka

I am a project manager with the design firm Recreation Engineering and Planning, based in Boulder, Colorado.  I am in my office today in Salida, Colorado, right on the whitewater park, which we designed and Eric noted above.  I would love to share ideas and thoughts on this exciting opportunity that Traverse City is faced with.  We have designed and overseen construction of dam modification projects all over the US.  Our web site is http://www.boaterparks.com.  My e-mail is .  Please feel free to drop me a note, I would love to share some thoughts and here about this project.  Thanks, Mike

Union Street dam needs to stay, period!!  There is no good logic for removing it.  Boardman Lake is a vibrant part of this town and community and should not be reduced to a trickle in a valley.

Take out all the dams. It doesn’t make any sense to leave any of the four dams in place if they are using up taxpayer dollars to maintain at a loss.  Another fish weir needs to be place somewhere below bitner rd. to stop salmon, steelhead and other fish species from getting up river to spawn. I think it would be detrimental to the excellent brook trout and brown trout fishing up stream if 12000 salmon and steelhead get in the upper river.  I like the idea of the boardman pond becoming a natural area as long as there is public access.

I understand you are seking input for the future of the dams.  I feel that Brown Bridge and Keystone could be removed and that the river would be enhanced by the removal.  I feel that the Union Street dam needs to stay in-place.  It supports the Boardman Lake impoundment.  Boardman Lake is a full service recreation lake and provides excellent access for the Traverse Area Sailing Club to carry out its sumer learning series teaching young folks to sail.  It is wel suited for this purpose.  It also provides a great boat launch for fishermen.  Hull Park is situated right on the edge of the lake with many physical improvements in place.  The lake provides a much needed park setting for residents of TC and adjoining areas.  The lake is surrounded by many condominium and apartment complexes that have waterfront settings that are enhanced by the Boardman Lake Trail.  All in all the value and benefit of keeping the Union Street dam in place to support Boardman Lake far out-weigh removal.  Leave it alone!

I would like to let everyone know that I will be present at a movie presentation at the opera house on Oct. 2 and 4 celebrating paddling sports. The presentation is being put on by Backcountry Outfitters and tickets can be purchased at their two locations. Come to the show with your questions about whitewater parks in general or how the idea can exist here on the Boardman. Then enjoy the great films and prepare to get reved up for paddle sports.

Should all 4 (four) dams be removed, and I do mean all 4 (four) . No favorite dams excluded!!!! The State of Michigan must stop selling and profiting from the spawn gathered at the weir in downtown Traverse City!!!!!
We may return to a natural river and to do that, all natural fish must be alowed to spawn in a natural way to allow the NATURAL RIVER to revert to it’s natural state.
About 8 or 9 years ago, the State of Michigan allowed only 91 Rainbow Steelhead to go upstream from the weir. Take a look at the weir!!!!!!!!!! The spawning of Trout, Salmon and other fish will start in September, soon after a good rain.
I probably have more time Trout and Salmon fishing with imitation flies than about 95% of the Trout Unlimited members.
What I write is factual and should be addressed.
Jim Pryor

check out these sites:
http://www.theshimodagroup.com/mclaughlin.htm
http://ci.golden.co.us/Page.asp?NavID=203
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/stewardship:whitewater_parks
http://usnwcpaddlesports.blogspot.com/
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Article_view_articleid_657_display_full_
http://www.djc.com/news/en/11170278.html
http://www.paddlermagazine.com/issues/2005_3/article_265.shtml
http://www.whitewaterpark.canoe-kayak.org/
http://www.emdc.org/community/pdf/Penobscot%20River/Report.pdf

This is only the tip-o-the iceberg!
Start diggin’ people and think of the Boardman river.
thanks, Eric Clone

It is exciting to see that the ideas that I had presented back in Jan. have been simmering on low for the past few months. I am here and just as passionate about the prospect of having runnable rapids exist here in TC. I will be checking in on this blog sight now that Jennifer Jay has cued me in on this wonderful option. Please add comment on the idea of creating whitewater sections along the river for paddlers and ask questions. I am eager to hear all thoughts on the matter and would be happy to refer good research onto you. There now exist 52 whitewater parks in the U.S.. Urban and smaller rural communities are quickly recognizing the fun an ecologically viable option for their rivers.  TC would be the only place for hundreds of miles like this. This idea would have spin offs for commerce, enhance municiple income with whitewater usage permits/ rentals/ education, water/fisheries studies,sediment stabilization/ transport, healthy trout habitat, various other recreation, healthier lifestyles for the population, less teenage bordom, nature studies/ education, comprehensive river management and supervision, create jobs, beautify/ stabilize exposed shoreline (maintaining property values or enhancing them) and generally breathe new life and pride for a river that should be a jewel set amongst the town of Traverse. 
I am open minded on this issue and want to look at all the angles. I love Traverse and want to see the very best for our town. We (TC) will grow and that growth needs to be looked at as a manageable and controled advancement with a proactive approach. The Boardman river can help to instill this healthy attitude by providing a resource which can be used as a teaching tool. Our citizens can benefit from physical well being, activities, natural and ecological responsibility and make Traverse City a model within Michigan for taking that lead in sustainable and responsible growth for the benfit of it’s citizens.
I like the option of simply restoring the river to it’s natural state but the river has had an entire town/city grow up around it. A conservation or even preservation approach for the river would possibly allow some to use it’s waters but mismanagement and neglectful management from unreliable budgeting has led to some rivers a state of digression.  I have seen other cities where river management has been less than proactive; Saginaw, Tittabawasee, Flint, Cedar, Grand and the ones that just came to your mind are great exaples. Would you let you child go into these rivers? How about the part of the Boardman that flows through down town Traverse? What if that section of the river had a small whitewater exibition area below the Union Street dam and the continuation to the baywas beautified/ stabilized for walkers, bikers and paddlers. On-lookers could watch freestyle kayakers, kids could play in eddy currents along the bank and fly fishing all going on right behind the Heritage Center on 6th. Anyone who has been to Salida Colorado can comment on the above scene. there is a wonderful park along the Arkansas river within a town the size of Charlevoix.

This can be done right. Community needs and thriving natural habitats don’t have to be opponents. One example is with many whitewater parks in our nation having seen a growing issue with trout populations due to the improved spawning areas, water aeration and invertibrate numbers. End result means that the fly fishermen have been wading the same rapids alongside the kayakers due to a favorable habitat situation that the trout like.
Human recreation with the river=personal interest in the river=protective drive within more people for the river=greater husbandry for the river driven by the larger community seeing the river as a valuable and neccessary part of their life. Governmental protection can’t do that but those agencies can help provide the resourse to nurture it to life. The citzens just need to get the fuse lit.

I have rambled long enough. I hope you look into this idea. It seems to be a win, win, win for most parties.

Thank you very much, Eric Clone

At the January 2007 BRDC meeting Eric Clone offered a presentation about white-water parks as an option for the Boardman River.  The slides from his presentation are posted on this website (as a .pdf).  To view the presentation, go to the Meeting Archive tab and then click the link to ”Presentations”.